Wirtz Law Blog

If you’re the owner of a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, you may have some money coming your way. 

In February 2020, two different class-action lawsuits were filed on behalf of owners and lessees of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. After nearly two years of legal proceedings, the court has preliminarily approved a settlement for one of the lawsuits.  

Owners of affected models should take action now if they wish to receive part of the compensation money coming out of the settlement.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid — False Advertising Claims

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a crossover SUV, and the manufacturers claim the vehicle has a gas tank capacity of 14.5 gallons with a range of 580 miles with a full tank.  

The complaint against Toyota is that the vehicles can’t hold more than ten gallons before the automatic shut-off prevents more gas from being added to the tank. 

Class-Action Proceedings

A class-action lawsuit is one in which a lawsuit is undertaken on behalf of a larger group affected by an issue. The group of people affected by the issue is called the “class.” 

Anyone who meets the relevant criteria is automatically included as part of the class. It is possible to opt out of a class-action lawsuit, but you don’t have to do anything to be included as part of the class. 

However, you do need to take action to receive a portion of the money awarded to the class when the lawsuit is won. 

Two Different Lawsuits

The legal situation surrounding the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can be a bit confusing because two different class-action lawsuits have been filed. 

Both lawsuits apply to owners and lessees of the 2019, 2020, and 2021 models of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and owners and lessees of the 2021 RAV4 Prime. 

The first is titled Pulkrabek et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales. This lawsuit was initially filed in Texas for owners of the affected vehicles in Missouri and California. Later, the suit was broadened to apply to all owners of these vehicles nationwide. This first lawsuit is the one for which the court has requested a preliminary settlement. 

The second lawsuit is titled In re Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Fuel Tank Litigation. This second lawsuit is still ongoing and has not yet reached a conclusion. 

California Lemon Law 

California lemon laws exist to protect car owners when costly vehicle issues are the manufacturer’s fault. Additional federal laws also determine how vehicle issues should be compensated fairly when the manufacturer is at fault. 

These laws mean that Toyota might be held responsible for buying back the affected vehicles. Even if you’ve leased your vehicle, Toyota might pay back what you’ve already paid and what you still owe. 

The details of the defects in your Toyota have not been fully decided yet, but California lemon law means that Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners stand to get a buyback and even civil penalties up to double your Toyota’s buyback value. 

How to Take Action 

You’ll need to contact a lawyer for advice on how to move forward. If you own or lease a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, don’t hesitate. Let your legal representation do the work to get your compensation into your hands. 

For more information, call the experienced trial attorneys at (858) 259-5009 for a free case evaluation.